The National tribune., 1887-11-03

fight, and ] earnestly hope that you may con-
troll any inclinations you may have in that
direction. Never. never, fight, my boys -
pausng a second, his flashing eyes aud bright
ened countenance indicated that the spirit of
the soldier took possession of him" but, my
boys. if you should fight, and fight you must,
fight like the devil, aud never let up. never"
kipatrick's idea i'm this regard probably coin
cidod with that thus expressed by great
student of human nature:
"In peace there is nothing so becomes a man
As modest stiffness and humility;
But when the blast OF war blows in your ears,
Thea initiate the action Of the tiger"
am aware that Fitzpatrick has been charged
with being proud egoiistical, and OF being fond
OF personal display, and / admit that there is
some foundation for the same but let me say
in explanation that these characteristics were
not Of the offensive kind, nor did they detract
from his
POPULARITY AND INFLUENCE.
In other words. Kilpatrick's pride sprung
from being the leader of splendid body OF
brave men, and his egotism from the we'll
grounded belief that he had SO won their con-
idence and regard that. no matter what the
emergency, he could depend implicitly on their
courage and devotion.
As for Kipatrcks love of display, his SOL
diers not only excused it, but glOried in it, for
il was not so much subjective rs objective, and
not so noticeable on dress parade as on the bat
tlefield. There, il is admitted, his love of dis
play manifested itselfvery plainly and rendered
him a most striking and conspicuous figure;
and certainly il was a splendid as well as inspir-
ing sight 10 see Fitzpatrick galloping to the
front closely followed by his staff aud escort, all
in full uniform aud well mounted. aud in their
midst Kipatricks broad battlenag borne
proudly aloft Mounted on his favorite charger,
Spots a high-spirited mustang stallion,
sThe noble animal survived his master several
years, and died but a few months ago at Decker
town, n. j.
richly caparisoned, Fitzpatrick, in full regalia,
his well-earned stars sparkling brightly on his
shoulders, and his handsome uniform resplend-
ent with gold lace-on these occasions Kill
patrick did make quite display, and whether
he WAS or was not conscious of the fact himself
is immaterial, for is il not enough TO know that
the appearance thus presented by him gratifed
and enthused his soldiers, and thus enhanced
rather than detracted from his leadership?
Seldom If ever did he ride past his troops that
they did not
Justify CHEER HIM
and manifest in every possible way their pride
and confidence in him; and need scarcely say
this feeling was mutual and reciprocal, Kill
patrick's pride and confidence in his troops be-
ing only excelled by his kindly interest in and
solicitude for their welfare.
He would also, whenever opportunity offered,
engage in conversation with the private SOL
diers, and often jocular remarks and funny
stories were INDUCED in between them.
Sometimes, indeed, growing out of an as
sumed right-of-way dispute, or something Of
the kind, war of words would be engaged in
by Fitzpatrick and a private soldier, each striv-
ing for the mastery in that forcible if not
elegant manner Of speech so much INDUCED in
by soldiers aud occasionally. not often, how
ever, Fitzpatrick met his match in these ornate
vernacular contests.
Kilpatrick's right of way, however, was
never disputed when there was a battle on
hand. On these occasions he and his staff were
given the whole road, and rs they galloped
past the enthusiasm Of the troops was indie
scribabe. Intermingled with the cheers and
other joyful demonstrations could be heard ex-
carnations such as Kill; 20 IL, old boy. Give
them blank, Kill; we'll stand by you-Resaca.
Lovejoy's Station, Macon, Waynesboro" and
Kilpatrick's responses, "All right, boys; we'll
give them blank; we'll lick them out of their
boots; see if we don't" and Fitzpatrick gener-
ally
KEPT HIS WORD IN THIS REGARD.
Recurring to the juvenile Lick you -out-of.
your-boots" expression. would say that Kill
patrick frequently made use of it. When at
West Point a cadet much larger and physically
stronger undertook 10 carry out threat previ-
ously made TO punish Fitzpatrick, then cadet
officer, if again reported by him for violation
Of orders Fitzpatrick made good his promise to
lick him out of his boots" He was also, /
understand, dismissed the institution for this
attack on Fitzpatrick.
On the march 10 the sea Fitzpatrick and the
Confederate cavalry General, Wheeler. met
under flag Of truce and passed a very pleasant
hour or so together, West Point, of which
Wheeler is also a graduate, and its associations
forming the chief topic Of conversation; but
after awhile they drifted from "reminiscences of
the past TO the present, and the all-absorbing
subject, the war, and, finally, came TO discuss
! the practical question, the lighting qualities
OF their respective commands, each, OF course,
cOntending for the superiority of his own
troops and here again il is remembered Kill
| patrick used the expression, why, Wheeler,
can lick you out Of your boots,
AND YOU KNOW IT."
Did Fitzpatrick make good this boast1 The
| sequel proves that he did.
Fitzpatrick was singularly fortunate in his
brigade and regimental commanders, and in
his staff officers. In the East, among his brigade
commanders were the gallant Custer (another
! Kilpatrick), killed by the Indians at Big
! Horn; the brave Gen. Farnsworth, killed in q
charge at Gettysburg; Merritt and Huey also
| commanded brigades under Fitzpatrick in the
Gettysburg campaign; the dauntless Dahlgren,
who lost leg ut Hagerstown and his life on
the famous Richmond raid. Our own comrade
Gen. t. w. Whitaker, himself distinguished
cavalry leader, served his apprenticeship as an
Aid-de-Camp on Kilpatriek's staff, and so ex-
| posed himself TO shot aud shell that he was
successively promoted through every grade
and, at the head Of Cnsters charge, received
Lees truce at AppOmattox.
IN THE WEST
his brigade commanders were: Col. c. C. Smith
of Ohio quiet, dignifed, but fearless soldier
and conceded TO be one Of the best disciplinar
ians and tacticians in the army. lie organized
and was the first Colonel of the 10th Ohio Cav.
a regiment Kilpatrick evinced his partiality to
ward by selecting several of his staff officer
from it, and by giving il prominence in sabe
charges. Col. Smith now resides at St. Paul
Mimi, where he has greatly distinguished
himself as civil engineer, the great railroad
stone bridge over the Mississippi at Minneapo
lis being one of his most recent scientic achieve
ments. Gen. Murray, of Kentucky, hand
some, brave aud undetermined young man, ant
who since the war has filled several importan
public Offices, u. S. Marshal OF Kentucky, ant
Governor of Utah being among them. Gen
Smith ID. Atkins Of Illinois, soldier of in
domitabe will, great ability and invincibl
courage. Since the war he has filled severa
important Offices, and has edited the LEADING
newspaper of Freeport. Ill. lie organized ant
was the first Colonel of that superb regiment
the 92d III. MID Inf.
And what shall say OF Kilpatrick's famou
Adiutant- General. Gen. Llewelyn q. Estes, o
Maine who sustained toward Fitzpatrick TIA